New Comics (09-13-2017)

Welcome to another edition of New Comics, where we give our suggestions on what books to pick up when perusing the comic shelves week to week. As always, I am joined by Kris Johnson of Bizarre Comics Entertainment. Read on to find the best of what the comic shop has in store for you this week.

DEFENDERS #5 $3.99 (Marvel) – When last we saw the Punisher, he was all trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey inside of a heavily armoured police transport waiting to be shipped off to one of those fancy Marvel Universe prisons for costumed bad asses. Fortunately for Frank, Diamondback just punched the same one way ticket after getting his well-tailored behind handed to him last issue by Iron Fist. What does it all mean? Probably that Castle will get to beat on a murderous gang leader while simultaneously escaping from police custody… ‘Cause he will absolutely be doing both of those things. Sounds like the Punisher’s kind of party. I’m just happy that he’s happy, y’know? (Kris Johnson)

KILL OR BE KILLED #12 $3.99 (Image) – Dude in a mask with a shotgun vs. the Russian Mob. Don’t know who’s gonna win but you can be damn sure that things are about to get bloody. Every time a new issue of Kill or be Killed comes out, I feel it’s necessary to reiterate to you good folks that this is a series you should be checking out. Brubaker and Phillips make fantastic comics full of crime and messed up people. I would say it’s good escapism but crime and messed up people are pretty popular these days. Let’s just stick with fantastic comics, then. (Andrew)

BABYTEETH #4 $3.99 (Aftershock) – Up until this point, Donny Cates has done a tremendous job building the supernatural world of Babyteeth as well as the very human, very real relationships between teen mom Sadie; her drug-dealing, tough-as-shoe-leather sister; her military dad; and most importantly, the newborn baby that she loves so much which may or may not bring about the destruction of all reality. It’s all been relatively leisurely paced, allowing us a solid chunk of time to get to know and enjoy the characters. This issue, though? Shit starts to hit the fan. The set up is over and now the darkness, blood, and destruction will take center stage. Somebody’s gonna die, and it ain’t gonna be pretty. (Kris Johnson)

NICK CAVE: MERCY ON ME GN $22.99 (SelfMadeHero) – Nick Cave is a pretty interesting cat. In the right hands, his story would make for a pretty interesting graphic novel. Thankfully, Reinhard Kleist is the right hands. I checked out his work on Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness a few years back and it blew me away. One of the best biographical comics I ever read. I’m pretty damn sure that Mercy on Me will follow suit. (Andrew)

DARK NIGHTS METAL #2 (OF 6) $3.99 (DC Comics) – There were some pretty freaking massive reveals in the last issue of Metal. I mean holy shit, after years and years and YEARS of DC keeping certain corners of their vast publishing empire from ever touching, it feels like the editorial mandate for the past few has been, “yeeeeah… Fuck that shit.” Seriously, first Swamp Thing and Constantine, then Doctor Manhattan and (probably) Ozymandias (read Action Comics!) and now goddamn Dream of the Endless? What the hell, DC?! I honestly don’t know how all this figures into Batman and the rest of the DC heroes fighting against evil versions of the the Dark Knight from a universe beyond the known multiverse, but hell, I’m willing to give such a batshit comic more than a cursory gander. (Kris Johnson)

FIRST STRIKE #3 $3.99 (IDW) – Okay, so it’s still the Joes, Mask and the Autobots as one big unit. They’ve made it to Cybertron to attack this new Cobra and save the day, right? What if they screw things up even worse? All I know for sure is that the New Cobra is like the New Coke; It’ll be around forever! (Andrew)

REALM #1 $3.99 (Image) – Dragons! Orcs! Other monstery types! Fifteen years ago, our reality was invaded by fantasy creatures and everybody just straight up lost their minds and allowed the planet to spiral into madness. Now, humanity tries to pick up the pieces and fight back against the monstrous hordes all while some crazy-ass sorcerer does some crazy-ass sorcery things! I’m a big fan of mashing up fantasy with the modern world, so I’m more than willing to give this sucker a shot. Let’s hope this attempt is more successful than that time American Viking Matthew McConnaughey tried to kill a dragon with a battle axe. (Kris Johnson)

ROCKET #5 $3.99 (Marvel) – It’s one of the best books you’re not reading. So read it already! Al Ewing and Adam Gorham are weaving some space noir gold with their take on the baddest racoon in the galaxy. It’s like Parker on speed. This is the second last issue. Grab some of this before it’s gone and find out about the excitement that’s been missing in your life. (Andrew)

THE DAMNED #4 $3.99 (Oni) – Last issue, Eddie and Pauly Bones tried to make a deal with the demons that all of the other, everyday demons are afraid of. It sort of worked out? I guess? Kinda. Now, a couple of those super-scary demons, and the normal demons, AND an extremely skilled and terrifying demon-killing hitman are all after Eddie and Pauly in order to take that which no mortal should posses. Where does one run in such a situation? Why, a graveyard, of course! Makes complete sense. (Kris Johnson)

HARLEY QUINN 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 $4.99 (DC Comics) – I don’t usually get excited for anniversary issues but it looks as though they went all out with this one. Paul Dini (the co-creator of Harley) has a story in this here comic. So do Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones. They were great with Howard, so why not with Harley? But the kicker here is that Palmiotti and Connor have a story in this book (as well they should) that’s drawn by Connor! Not just a cover! Interiors, baby! This is a day to celebrate. What better way to do that then a trip to Vegas? VEGAS BABY, VEGAS! (Andrew)

So there you go. That’s this week’s New Comics. Check these books out and let us know what you think. We’ll be back again next week with more choice cuts of comic goodness!